After receiving the initial laws of God verbally from Moses (including the 10 Commandments), the Israelites promised on three different occasions to obey whatever the Lord said (Ex. 19:8; 24:3,7).

Exodus 24: When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, 16 and the glory of the L ORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day the L ORD called to Moses from within the cloud. 17 To the Israelites the glory of the L ORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain. 18 Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

For the first time, the Israelites were without the steadying hand of Moses and were receiving no revelations from God. This would obviously lead to much anxiety and uncertainty for the community.

“When Israel left Egypt, they left behind much of what gave them security. But they had Moses. When Moses disappeared for forty days, so did Israel’s sense of security and the Israelites were distraught.” - Chuck DeGroat, “Leaving Egypt”

How the Israelites responded in impatience and fear to this period of “silence” from God is not that unlike the ways that most people do. We often reach out for something familiar that we can use to cope with our anxiety or pain.

Instead of patiently waiting on God’s timing and trusting His heart during these “silent” times in our lives; it is much more common for us (like the Israelites) to seize control of the situation in a concrete way.

Sadly, our impulse to jump in and control things is based on very flawed thinking: If I don’t see God at work in my life right now… He isn’t. This was the case for Israel, too.

Exodus 32 The Story of the Golden Calf

During the creation of the golden calf idol and the “Festival” afterwards, Aaron permitted the people to break at least the 2 nd, and likely the 1 st and the 7 th Commandments, too.

Ezekiel 20:7 I said to them, “Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the L ORD your God.”

God obviously is aware of what is happening down below with the people and informs Moses about it. Moses descends, sees the “orgy” of worship to the golden idol, smashes the tablets of the law (as symbolic illustration), and destroys the idol.

Exodus 32:26 Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the L ORD, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him.

The High Cost of the “Great Sin” in Exodus 32: 1.) Forced to drink the golden idol “powder” in their water supply by Moses 2.) 3,000 killed by Levites 3.) A plague from God 4.) An angel would now escort them, not the LORD.

Exodus 33: When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn... 5 For the L ORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’” 6 So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mt. Horeb.

As God continues to re-shape and mold Israel to fit the new identity & mission that He has called them to; He will show them amazing patience and grace, but He will also hold them accountable. “God never permits His people to sin successfully.” - Charles Spurgeon

Yahweh